Lemon & Lime Cordial Base

A safe Summer Quencher: Lemon & Lime Cordial Base

Ingredients
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
2 teaspoons grated lime rind
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon citric acid
1 teaspoon tartaric acid
1 1/2 cups caster sugar
3 cups boiling water
Method
Step 1 - Place lemon rind, lime rind, lemon juice, lime juice, citric acid, tartaric acid and sugar in a heatproof bowl. Add boiling water. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Strain into a heatproof jug. Pour into hot, sterilised bottles and seal. Refrigerate until chilled.
Step 2 -To serve: Use 1/3 cup cordial to 2/3 cup chilled sparkling mineral water or iced water. Serve with thinly sliced lemon and lime.
ENJOY!

'Raw for Thirty'

'Raw for Thirty': This video chronicles two type 1 diabetics and how they reverse diabetes, even though every doctor has told them this is impossible!
Here is the link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQDOsIWWbXo
Even if you don't have diabetes we all need to increase the amount of raw food in our diets for optimum health.

Coles Simply less Dark Chocolate

Coles simply less Dark Chocolate with Coffee Beans- 100g, 5 individually wrapped bars.
The box looks appealing to the eye. There are 4 ticks on the front which would stand out for most consumers, after all, they are true. (84 Cal/ 353 kj; 27% fat reduced; No added Sugar & NO Artificial Colours & Flavours. OR ARE THEY REALLY TRUE?This is the question you really must ask.

Many consumers would not realise that the 1st ingredient in the chocolate, Maltitol (965) is an ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER (hence the statement 'no added sugar'). This substance has caused increased incidence of tumours in animal tests- wise to avoid it.  There are 3%coffee beans as stated on the label. However, I suspect that the 'natural Vanilla Flavour ' & 'natural Coffee flavour' contain a form of MSG to enhance the flavour of the chocolate. MORE than you need, not less!

Edible Christmas gift- Cinnamon sugar-crusted macadamias

I discovered this recipe just before Christmas last year & have just made my first batch of Cinnamon sugar-crusted macadamias for this year. Irresistible when warm, but equally as delicious when cool!
Here is the recipe: Ingredients
                              2 egg whites, pinch sea salt
                              one third Cup caster sugar
                              1 Cup demerara sugar
                              1 Tb ground cinnamon
                              4 Cups (580g) macadamia nuts
Method
1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Separate egg whites.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt in a medium size bowl until mixture has soft peaks.
3. Add caster sugar slowly, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until white peaks are stiff.
4. Gently stir in demerara sugar and cinnamon into egg whites. Add macadamia nuts and mix to coat well.
5. Spread mixture evenly over base of prepared tray. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring with a metal spoon to break up the mixture every 10 mins, or until cinnamon crust feels dry.
6. Cool completely on tray. Break up & store in an airtight container.
Variation: replace the macadamia nuts with pecans, cashews, peanuts or whole almonds.

Place in small gift bags & tie firmly, OR place in a sealed jar for a fabulous edible Christmas gift for friends &/or family.
                              

Plastics containing BPA

Yet another study has been released linking diabetes to plastic wrap containing BPA. Many of you would have already heard of the link between BPA and endocrine system dysfunction. 

You get it  with every bite, sip, and swallow from plastic wrapped products.
It's from Bisphenol A, or BPA, the hormone-like chemical that seeps into your food whenever it's stored, served, or cooked in plastic containers. Always put food into crockery especially when you use a microwave. NEVER ALLOW FOOD TO GET HOT IN PLASTIC. 

This poison  has been linked to diabetes plenty of times before, but the latest evidence is some of the worst yet: Urine samples on some 4,000 people showed that when BPA levels are high, so are the odds of diabetes.Even after adjusting for all the usual risk factors, like age and weight, the people with the highest urine levels of BPA were much more likely to be diabetic than those with the lowest levels of BPA.

This chemical has also been caught lurking in the shadows behind heart disease, obesity, sexual dysfunction and more... always ready to help you over the edge to destroy your health.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

This weeks Product of the Week is Pennington's Pure Wine- a tiny 4 ml bottle that eliminates the preservatives, i.e. Sulphites (220-228) in wine. This product is a regular addition to our kitchen bench- add 5 drops to a 750ml bottle or 1 drop to a glass (150ml)- the preferred consumption for wine unless you have friends to share the bottle with you!
Pure Wine is available in most liquor outlets. Dan Murphy's sells it for $4.99.
With the festive season starting I thought this was 'timely' to mention as YOU CAN AVOID THE HEADACHES!

ENJOY!

2012 FREE WORLDWIDE ONLINE SCREENING

I have some exciting news for you!  Don't miss this unique opportunity- I bought the DVD last year & it is full of amazing info.

Food Matters will be screening online for free this November 21st through 30th.

You can register for the 2012 FREE WORLDWIDE ONLINE SCREENING here:
www.FoodMatters.tv/2012-Free-Screening
This is a great opportunity for you to watch the film again and share the Food Matters message with your friends and family.

In Food Matters you'll learn:

- How to use food as medicine
- Is organic food better?
- Should I be taking supplements?
- Foods that fight Anxiety and Depression
- Natural therapies for Cancer
- Which drugs might do more harm than good?
- The best ways to detox, lose weight and keep it off!

To secure your place, you will need to REGISTER on the following page so that we can send you the special link to watch the film for free: 


www.FoodMatters.tv/2012-Free-Screening

You will also get instant access to watch Part One of the film when you sign up.

Plus, during the event there will be some special discounts on the Food Matters DVD, Detox Guide eBook, Recipe Book and Food Matters Mastery.                                   
In good health,

James & Laurentine
Filmmakers 'Food Matters'
& 'Hungry For Change'
enquiries@foodmatters.tv

Nabisco Premium Snack Packs

This week whilst on playground duty at school I asked a student if I could have their Nabisco wrapper after they had finished eating the contents. Whilst it was very pleasing to see that there were no flavour enhancers or artificial colours in the snack biscuits I was shocked to read that they were 'MADE IN CHINA BY KRAFT FOODS' (SUZHOU) CO.,LTD HU XI BRANCH. Then, as part of their 'food mile journey' the biscuits were imported back into Australia by Kraft Foods, Victoria!
Surely we can manufacture a plain snack biscuit here in Australia.

There is also another reason why they are not a 'safe' choice- the vegetable oil which is 2nd on the list contains 319. Most consumers would be accepting of an antioxidant in their food, however, it's real name is tert-Butylhydroquinone. This additive has been linked to cancer, birth defects as well as a cause of dermatitis, nausea, vomiting, delirium, & collapse.

Whilst in the supermarket yesterday I checked out the larger pkt. sizes of these snack biscuits & they were also 'MADE IN CHINA BY KRAFT FOODS'.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

This weeks Product of the Week is a Low Carb, High Protein bread made by the "Baker's Club'. It is simply named as No1 Bread.  It has the same protein as red meat (26%), is 7% carbohydrate & has a Glycemic Index of 17.
The ingredient list is as follows: Water, Wheat  protein, Lupine protein, Soymeal, Linseed, Sunflower seed, Soy flour, Wheat Wholegrain meal, Wheat Bran, Apple Fibre, Yeast, Sesame seeds, Sodium (0.4g per 100g), and roasted Barley Malt flour.

No1 Bread is quite moist and very tasty. Enjoy!

Protein Powders

I'm still investigating the ingredients listed on Protein powders- there is such a vast array.  It's very upsetting to see so many with 'flavour' &/or 'flavours' - i.e. MSG. 
In addition, there seem to be very few that do not contain artificial sweeteners. MUSASHI Bulk Protein contains both Sorbitol & Sucrolose(955).
Sucrolose has been linked to neurological and immunological disorders. More research is needed but my advice is to avoid it.
I would recommend referring to http://www.bareblends.com.au

What happens to your body within an hour of drinking a high sugar drink

The Q'ld government is concerned about the amount of sugar in both soft drinks & juices. So today let's look at what happens to your body within an hour of drinking a Coke Cola -
Within the first 10 mins- 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system; the phosphoric acid cuts the flavour & over time causes calcium to leach out of your bones.
Within 20 mins- your blood sugar spikes, and your liver responds to the resulting insulin burst by turning massive amounts of sugar into fat.
Within 40 mins- caffeine absorption is complete; your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream.
Around 45 mins- your body increases dopamine production, which stimulates the pleasure centres of your brain- a physically identical response to that of heroin, by the way.

After 60 mins- you'll start to have a sugar crash. (Nutrition Research Centre; Oct 24th, 2007)

A 'safer' option would be to grab a piece of fruit e.g the natural sugar in an orange is absorbed into your system in 10 mins & can give you up to 3hrs. energy! With no sugar crashes. For 'slowly released' energy eat a banana or pear.

Safe Sprinkles & food colours for children's parties

Hopper sprinkles and food colours are made in New Zealand for a Victorian company called Allergy Train.
They are dairy, nut and egg free as well as having no artificial colour or flavours on their ingredient list.
Go to: www.hopperfoods.com.au to view the entire range and check out where to buy them in your state.
Two of the most frequently listed stores are Flannery's and Wheel & Barrow.

The white sprinkles look beautiful on top of chocolate or pink icing! Enjoy!

Some statistics on the health dangers of soft drinks

During my childhood I remember only consuming a glass or two of soft drink at a friends birthday party. A glass of soft drink was a treat and only consumed very occasionally. Now there are rows of such drinks (in bottles & cans), plus, for some children, it's a daily drink or at least consumed a number of times per week.

So I have decided to give you some statistics on some of the health dangers:
1. One soft drink per day increases your risk of diabetes by 86%.
2. Soft drink drinkers have a higher cancer risk. The limit for benzene in drinking water is 5 parts per billion (ppb). However, researchers have found benzene levels as high as 79 ppb in some soft drinks.

3. Sodium Benzoate (211) is used in soft drinks to prevent mould but research has shown that it also has the ability to switch off vital parts of your DNA. This can eventually lead to diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver & Parkinson's.

There is absolutely NO REASON why your children should ever drink soft drinks. This is just one crucial factor in reducing health problems in our children.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

This weeks Product of the Week is Simpkins After Dinner Mints. They are the most delicious 'safe' mint I have ever tasted! They are made in England & have only 3 ingredients- Sugar, Oil of Peppermint   & Cream of Tartar. I have had a tin on hand in my car for years! They are available at various chemists. Pharmacy Warehouse sells them for $4.49. You can pay up to $4.95 but you only need a couple to freshen your breath! The mints are very soft- share them with your friends especially the ones who are chewing sugar free mints or chewing gum! Enjoy!

Macro Free Range Yellow Box Honey and Rosemary Chicken Kebabs

I always avoid buying any meat that has been marinated or is in some type of sauce as it is highly likely that the sauce contains a form of MSG to enhance the taste and flavour. However, a few weeks ago I bought Macro Free Range Yellow Box Honey & Rosemary chicken kebabs. Not only did I need something very quick to cook for dinner that night but I had never seen such a product in this range. I wanted to investigate the product for my blog- hoping that it would be safe & an item I could promote as I regard the Macro brand name to be one which produces some high quality products.

When I arrived home I put the label under a magnifying light (the list of ingredients was very small!). Unfortunately, there is 6% yellow box honey powder (not real honey) & to make it worse this powder contains corn maltodextrin, & maltodextrin (both are forms of MSG).Natural flavour (MSG) is 5th last; but at least there were 2 natural ingredients- turmeric & paprika, 2nd last on the list.

Other products in this range are excellent- chicken breast, chicken thighs, lovely legs, whole chicken & chicken mince. I am yet to check out the sausages!

'PINK WASHING' for Cancer

For a number of years now there has been an ever-increasing number of products (both food, clothing & gadgets etc) that once purchased, donate a part of their profits to the Breast Cancer Foundation. A few years ago Arnott's introduced  Pink Tim Tams into the Australian market. I had my photo taken next to a huge poster promoting these biscuits in a Westfield Shopping Centre because, at the time I thought it was very ironic that a product which actually had a recognised carcinogenic colour in it (namely, 129 Allura Red AC) in the pink filling, was linked to a 'Cure for Cancer'!
Some pink products and labels have been adopted by the very companies and corporations whose products are linked to causing cancer in the first place. KFC's ridiculous "Buckets for the Cure" campaign, for example, is hugely inappropriate in light of the fact that the chain's fried chicken is filled with cancer-causing acrylamides, genetically-modified organisms (GMOs), and other toxic chemicals.

 Just think about what would happen to all that pink 'food' and gear if women were given even simple cancer prevention guidelines that included things like avoiding toxic bisphenol-A (BPA) and estrogen-producing soy products, for instance, and instead taking cancer-preventing superfoods and herbal supplements.

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK

Macro Organic Coconut Cream: This 400ml can has only 2 ingredients: Organic coconut extract (99.6%) and Stabiliser (organic Guar Gum). On the label it truthfully states 'No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives' & 'Reduced Fat'. This product is only available in Woolworth's supermarkets and is ideal for stir fry's. Please note: Macro products now feature a mauve band at the top of the product label. Enjoy!

How GMO foods alter organ function

When you have 13 mins to spare (at the weekend?) take the time to listen to Mike Adams talking about research which has proven the real threat to humans of GMO foods.